Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: December 9, 2021
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:05 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Conference Room

Board Members Present:

President Amanda Cavanaugh
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited

Board Members Absent:

Vice President Sheri Senecal
Timothy Delisle

Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens, Jr.

The meeting was opened at 6:05 p.m., with President Cavanaugh officiating.

Appointment of District Clerk Pro Tem

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved appointment of Keith Heid as District Clerk Pro-Tem for the purpose of taking the minutes of the meeting.

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

Reports/Comments

KIDS & PALS Presentation Sarah Horaczek and Kelly Webster

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Stevens shared the following:

• Our new SRO started on December 1. He has been a great asset already.
• Last night’s concert was a great treat. It was socially-distanced, safe and the students played their instruments and sang their hearts out.
• We are well into our winter celebration with staff, who are dressing up in themed attire each day.
• Earlier this week, I attended the regional stakeholders group with the regent from our region to discuss measures for graduation. More information will follow.
• Mr. Heid and I got a glimpse of the first runs for the governor’s budget. It looks promising. We are slated at an estimated 6% increase in our full funding of foundation aid. It goes to the legislature next, so we will see what happens.
• We have a break coming up in December. On Monday, December 27, Mr. Whited will have meals available for any families in need. They can pick up five meals consisting of breakfast and lunch for the whole week on that day, between 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday.

B. Student Council Report

There was no Student Council report.

C. Committee Reports

There were no committee reports, however Mrs. Soroka noted that there will be a policy committee meeting on Tuesday.

Board of Education Discussion

Mrs. Cavanaugh noted that the concert was amazing, especially given that students haven’t played in several months.

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Kathy Smith, from the position of Lunch Monitor at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective November 19, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the retirement request of William Gallagher, from the position of Home and Careers Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2022.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency provisional appointment of Elizabeth Bolt to the position of Clerk Typist, at the Watervliet Elementary School, pending civil service examination results, for a one-year probationary period beginning December 9, 2021, at a pro-rated yearly salary of $25,000.00, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Cory Viscosi to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning December 10, 2021 and ending December 10, 2022, at an hourly rate of $12.94, per WSSA contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of October 2021, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Schedule of Warrants & Payrolls
• Revenue Status Report
• Cash & Investments
• Appropriation Status Report

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

WATERVLIET 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

• Atlantic Testing Lab.
  Invoice #236292
  $10,543.63
• DLC Electric, LLC
  Payment App. #007
  $60,439.00
• Gallo Construction
  Payment App. #007
  $59,049.97
• General Roofing Contractors
  Payment App. #006
  $133,617.50
• R.F. Gordon Mechanical LLC
  Payment App. #006
  $55,689.20

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held November 18, 2021, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held November 5, November 16, November 18, November 22 and November 23, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 504 Committee’s recommendations for the meeting held November 8, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, 504 Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Name: Jessica Senecal
Role : Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Michelle Brown
Dates: 2021 Fall Semester

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of Outdated/Broken Technology Equipment, as outlined in the attached, submitted Kirsten DeMento, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of Outdated Chromebooks, as outlined in the attached, submitted by Kirsten DeMento, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Jennifer Donovan, from the position of Speech Therapist at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective December 31, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.

Adjournment

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned at 6:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board